Wave making apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wave making apparatuses in recreational pools suffer from eddy currents that disrupt wave stability and rideability, requiring operators to delay subsequent wave generation until the water becomes placid.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a water vane within the chamber passageway to define a smoother water flow path, mitigating eddy currents and turbulence, allowing for rapid wave formation and reset.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water is released through a submerged passageway to create waves, then wave generation is achieved, but eddy currents are generated that disrupt wave stability and rideability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave generation capabilityVSAvoidwave stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A water vane is introduced as an intermediary component within the passageway to mediate the water flow from the chamber to the pool. The vane redirects the water flow path, allowing the wave-making function to continue while the harmful eddy currents are mitigated by the vane's flow-guiding effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If water is released through a submerged passageway, then wave formation occurs, but eddy currents cause surface disruptions that require delay before subsequent waves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave formation speedVSAvoiddelay between waves
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The water vane acts as a mediator that allows continuous wave formation without requiring delay periods. By redirecting the flow through the vane, the eddy currents are controlled and do not create the surface disruptions that would otherwise necessitate waiting time between wave generations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a submerged passageway is used for water release, then wave creation is enabled, but eddy currents erode wave formation and reduce rideability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave creation capabilityVSAvoideddy current erosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water vane serves as an intermediary flow control element that preserves the ease of wave creation through the submerged passageway while simultaneously protecting against eddy current erosion by guiding the water flow in a manner that prevents disruptive eddies from forming or affecting the wave surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The water vane stabilizes wave formation, enabling rideable waves without erosion and allowing for immediate or reduced delay in generating subsequent waves.

Implementation Method 1

The water vane 20 defines a smoother path for the water that is released from the wave making chamber 15 through the chamber passageway 17 and into the wave pool 10. The water vane 20 mitigates eddies currents that erode the formation of rideable waves. The water vane 20 also mitigates the turbulence at the surface of the wave pool 10.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3727618B1Wave making apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 AMERICAN WAVE MACHINES INC
  • EP3727618B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3727618B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3727618B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A wave making apparatus for use with a wave pool having water is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wave making chamber having an interior and a plurality of chamber walls. The chamber also has a passageway connecting the interior to the wave pool and constructed to allow water to flow there between. A water vane is disposed of in or adjacent to the passageway. The wave vane includes at least one smooth and curved water vane wall, which in combination with the plurality of chamber walls, create at least two conduit paths for the water flowing between the interior to the wave pool. The conduit paths have two ends, and the water enters one end at a first direction and exits the second end at a second direction.